Hi we are just beginning to look but can anyone recomend the best tour company for the buck and small group travel in Vietnam? Just starting to plan so open to any and all ideas! Thanks -

Is there a particular reason you want a tour? Some people enjoy tours, but if you aren't one of them, VN is quite easy to do on your own. You can travel independently, utilizing a guide here and there or hiring a car and driver from time to time. Or you can get an agency to set up a custom tour for you. Going independently is, of course, the least expensive.

I agree with Kathie. It is so easy these days to organise your own travel in Vietnam and is so much cheaper than a tour company.

The most expensive way to book is from outside Vn with a foreign owned operator - www.intrepid.com, www.travelindochina.com are two of the better known ones. www.exotissimo.com is based in Vn but not sure of the ownership.

It is considerably cheaper to organise once you are in country (subject to negotiating!) but some have experienced quality issues with local operators.

Try Tonkin travel they have booked lots of my Vietnam trip (i usually do it all myself) and they have found for me the best rates by far.(except the Park Hyatt which i booked myself) They are based in hanoi. very good service and i know Craig and Kristina (regulars on this board) used them also

Thank you - we just thought if we were in a small group it might be better for us - i totally agree it is cheaper if you are on your own. We went on a small group tour in China and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Does anyone know if Tonkin is experienced in Cambodia and Laos? I had heard that their experience is mostly in Vietnam and we are planning on hitting all three countries.

Thanks.

Tonkin is a VN based agency.

Sue, I'm not sure what kinds of services you need, but I've booked everything myself for VN, Cambodia, Laos. I did not use guides in any of these places (though they are easy to hire on the spot). In each of these places, I did use a car and driver at least one day, who I also hired on the spot. The things I prearranged were my hotel and air.

Thanks, Kathie. You may remember me from my previous posts regarding my itinerary. I took a break because I went to Turkey for two weeks and I was busy planning that trip. (It was AMAZING!) I think I'm kind of spent with the planning process though because it's so time consuming. We are getting quotes from a few operators and I'd love your opinion before we book the finale . . . I will probably post in under my original Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos headline.

Thanks.

I'm glad you enjoyed Turkey!

I'll look forward to your posting once you get quotes from tour operators.